The dates of the Exposition are August 29 & 30, 2026 . There is also a “Meet and Greet” on Friday evening, August 28. The RPM show, WCR Shop Tours, Speeder rides, clinics and banquet are on Saturday, August 29 with the Steam Train Rides and WRMRC Open House on Sunday, August 30.
The Exposition is being held at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Waterloo. It is located at the Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Waterloo St. Jacobs and the Homewood Suites by Hilton Waterloo/St. Jacobs. Please visit our Schedule page for more location details.
Yes, there is free parking available at both hotels. There is also free parking at the Farmers’ Market Station (330 Farmers Market Road, St. Jacobs). This is where all train rides depart from. The train station is also only a short, 10 minute walk from the hotel that you may leave your vehicle at the hotel during this time.
Yes, rooms are available at the Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Waterloo (519-514-0090) and the Homewood Waterloo St. Jacobs (833-577-6632). Expo guests can enjoy a special discounted rate from August 27 to 30. Upon purchasing your Expo tickets, you will be provided with instructions in your confirmation email on how to obtain overnight rates at the discounted rate.
Additional nearby hotels can be viewed here.
Please visit our ticketing page for all package and pricing details.
General admission tickets can be purchased online in advance for $20 before July 29 (goes up to $25 after July 29). Expo tickets will be available at the door quantities last.
Tickets for the banquet must be booked by August 6, 2026.
We strongly encourage you to book your steam train rides well in advance as we anticipate these selling out quickly!
Please feel free to reach out to our volunteer committee. All contact information can be found on our Contact page.
Details of payment can be found on our registration page. Cash, debit and credit will be accepted at the door.
There is limited dining is available at the event, however there are several dining options both within walking and short drives away. Explore here for further dining information in the area.
Please visit our schedule page for a full list of events
All sales are final and non-refundable.
The WRE is a celebration of modeling and railway history with the primary event being an “RPM” (Railway Prototype Modeler) style meet with model displays, clinics, and displays from manufacturers and historical associations. Added on to the show are train rides and tours of the Waterloo Central Railways, an exclusive Saturday evening banquet with keynote speaker, and to top things off, an Sunday steam excursion.
The Railway Prototype Modeler movement is a celebration of the art of model railroading. Attendees are invited to bring along models (finished or in progress) for display at the show. There are no contests, no model judging and no flea market tables, just a chance to share and enjoy different forms of modeling and meet and learn from other modelers.
The Railway Prototype Modeler movement is a celebration of the art of model railroading. Attendees are invited to bring along models (finished or in progress) for display at the show. There are no contests, no model judging and no flea market tables, just a chance to share and enjoy different forms of modeling and meet and learn from other modelers.
Please visit our ticketing page for a full breakdown of what is included at various ticket and package prices.
See our Vendors page and contact us for more information.
Please contact us at general@waterloorailexpo.ca and we will be happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities with you.
The hotel venue for the train show and clinics are wheel-chair accessible.
Regarding train ride accessibility, while Waterloo Central Railway makes every effort to accommodate passengers with reduced mobility, the train operates with historical equipment that may not meet modern accessibility standards. WCR does not currently have the capability to lift a wheelchair into the vestibule of the coach with a guest seated in it. If our guest can be assisted out of the chair and into the coach, we will be able to help with boarding and disembarking from the train.
The WCR restoration shop is not wheelchair accessible.
Public transit is available to the Exposition. There are two Grand River Transit bus routes stop near the WRE venue:
Route 19A – Hazel to St Jacobs Market
Catch it from the University of Waterloo “ION” LRT Station, and it has a stop right in front of the hotel.
Route 21 – Elmira
Catch it from Conestoga Mall (making connections from ION LRT and/or other bus routes). You have to walk up the block from the Farmers Market, but it’s close. It also stops by the Waterloo Central Farmers Market station.
Taking VIA Rail/GO Transit in from out of town? From the Kitchener VIA/GO train station walk or grab a bus two blocks west on Victoria Street to the ION LRT Central Station on King Street. Take the LRT north to University of Waterloo or bus Route 7 to Conestoga Mall to connect with the above mentioned routes.
Grand River Transit System Map (bus and light rail routes)
The WRE venue is located across the street from the famous St Jacobs Farmers’ Market, which is open on Saturdays. A pair of antiques markets and outlet stores are also located in the immediate vicinity. See In the Area.